The South Coast Labour Council and Illawarra Women’s Health Centre joined forces to host a breakfast to show solidarity with Gaza. A candlelight vigil will be held in Wollongong on Thursday (12 June). Photo: Keeli Royle.
As Israel faces mounting pressure to allow more aid into Gaza, Wollongong families are invited to attend a candlelight vigil in solidarity with Gaza’s women and children.
The UN has warned the population of about two million people is at imminent risk of famine.
Israel has blocked most foreign aid into the Palestinian territory, with dozens shot attempting to access essential supplies from Israeli-approved distribution points, according to Gaza’s civil defence agency.
The Wollongong vigil, organised by the South Coast Labour Council, will take place in silence from 5:30 pm Thursday (12 June) and run from Wollongong Station to the Uniting Church in the mall.
The event will be family-friendly and attendees are invited to bring children and babies of all ages.
Wollongong dad Jeremy Kerbel will attend the vigil, the latest in a number of protests that have taken place in the Illawarra since 2023.
Mr Kerbel is a Jewish man who grew up in apartheid South Africa before his immediate family moved to Australia.
He has extended family members who live in Israel, and describes himself as ”anti-Zionist”.
“Growing up under apartheid, having bitter conversations with some of my family members, made it clear to me there are a lot of similarities between apartheid and Israeli society,” he said.
“I’m horrified and disgusted by what is happening in Gaza, but I’m not surprised. The Israeli state is a racist, brutal machine.
“Zionism is an affront to Judaism, and it is horrible that Israel uses Judaism and the Jewish community to try and justify its crimes.
“This is not done in our name.”
Mr Kerbel has previously been charged with assault over his role in a picket of Bisalloy Steel in Unanderra.
Wollongong Friends of Palestine has held several pickets at the site since late 2023.
In 2018, Bisalloy announced a $900,000 contract with Israeli-based defence contractor Rafael Advanced Defence Systems to provide steel for armour-plated vehicles and add-on armour.
Region Illawarra asked Bisalloy on two occasions in 2024 whether that contract was ongoing. Bisalloy declined to respond.
The courts found Mr Kerbel not guilty of assault for his part in the protests.
He said he did not regret taking action, and called for more people to take a stand in whatever way was accessible to them.
“Palestinian children are dying and facing starvation,” he said.
“At the moment, the only way a lot of people can cope is to turn off our news feed; but witnessing a genocide in real time means you have to take some action.
“Although it feels really far away, our actions do make a difference, and there are so many different opportunities for us to stand up for families and kids over there.”
The procession and vigil in solidarity with the women and children of Gaza will be held at 5:30 pm on Thursday, 12 June. Assemble outside Lowden Square at Wollongong Station for a silent candlelit march to the Uniting Church in Crown Street Mall. Bring a candle. Prams and children are welcome.
